National Theatre London - what's on and how to get to the National Theatre on the South Bank South Bank, London, SE1 9PX The Royal National Theatre (generally known as the National Theatre or The National) is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames next to Waterloo Bridge in Central London. Along with the Royal Shakespeare Company it is one of the UKâs two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies. From 1963 until 1976 the company was based at the Old Vic Theatre in Waterloo. The current building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley and comprises three stages, which opened between 1976 and 1977. The National Theatre building houses three separate auditoria which present a varied programme with a number of new plays by contemporary playwrights. Each auditorium in the theatre can run up to three shows in repertoire which increases the number of plays which can be put on during any one season. They are: The Olivier Theatre (named after the theatre's first artistic director, Laurence Olivier) which is the main auditorium with an open stage and a fan-shaped audience seating area for 1,160 people.

A five-storey drum revolving stage section extends eight metres beneath the stage and its design ensures that the audience's view is not blocked. The Lyttelton Theatre (named after Oliver Lyttelton, the National Theatre's first board Chairman): it has a proscenium-arch design and can accommodate an audience of 890. The Cottesloe Theatre (named after Lord Cottesloe, Chairman of the South Bank Theatre board) is a small and adaptable studio space designed by Iain Mackintosh. It can hold up to 400 people depending on the seating configuration The riverside frontage of the theatre is used for regular open-air performances during the summer months. The terraces and foyers of the theatre complex are also used for one off concerts and performances. The National Theatre's foyers are open to the public and offer a large theatrical bookshop, restaurants, bars and exhibition spaces. Backstage tours run throughout the day, and there is live music every day in the foyer before performances. The National also has a Studio which plays a vital role in developing work for the National's stages and British theatre in general. Writers and actors can use it explore, experiment and devise new work.

HOW TO GET TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE Click on map to enlarge image Tube :Embankment/Covent Garden Train: Waterloo/Southwark 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, Riverside Bus (RV1 - which also stops on Upper Ground which runs by the back of the National Theatre). 77 (Upper Ground near the Festival Hall), 211 & 507 (Waterloo Road near the main station), 381 (Stamford Street). 45, 63 & 100 all stop at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge, and there is a 10 minute walk along the riverside to the National. National Theatre car park opening times are 06:00 to 01:00 am.

Spaces in the basement car park are Â£7.50 after 5.00pm or if you attend a daytime ticketed event and leave before 19:00 . Combined matinee and evening show rate Â£12. Validation must be obtained from the Information Desk. Sundays/public holidays: up to 1 hour free, or Â£7.50 all day. DISABLED ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE Audio-described performances and touch tours for visually impaired people and captioned performances for deaf or partially hearing visitors. There are seats at the front of each auditorium for visually impaired people. Guide dogs are permitted inside the auditorium Available The cloakroom is 11 steps up from the nearest lift on Level 1. There's a chair lift, but if you're a wheelchair-user or have limited mobility we advise you to use the Lyttelton Cloakroom on the ground floor. Old Vic, The Cut, Waterloo Road– official theatre tickets BOOK TICKETS Why should you visit Old Vic Theatre, London? The Old Vic Theatre a London theatre in the Waterloo area of London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road.

It was also the name of a repertory company that was based at the theatre, and provided the basis of the Royal National Theatre company. The theatre was founded in 1818 by the actor William Barrymore as the Royal Coburg Theatre. In 1833 it was renamed the Royal Victorian Theatre after the heir to the throne Princess Victoria. In 1880, under the ownership of Emma Cons, it became The Royal Victoria Hall And Coffee Tavern and was run on "strict temperance lines"; by this time it was already known as the "Old Vic". With Emma Cons's death in 1912 The Old Vic Theatre passed to her niece Lilian Baylis, who emphasized the Shakespearean repertoire. The Old Vic Company was established in 1929, led by John Gielgud. Between 1925 and 1931, Lilian Baylis championed the re-building of the then-derelict Sadler's Wells Theatre , and established a ballet company under the direction of Ninette de Valois.

For a few years the drama and ballet companies rotated between the two theatres, with the ballet eventually becoming permanently based at Sadler's Wells in 1935. The theatre was damaged badly during the Blitz, and the war-depleted company spent all its time touring, based in Burnley, Lancashire at the Victoria Theatre during the years 1940 to 1943. In 1944, the company was re-established in London with Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier as its stars, performing mainly at the New Theatre until the Old Vic was ready to re-open in 1950. In 1946, an offshoot of the company was established in Bristol as the Bristol Old Vic. In 1963, the Old Vic company was dissolved and the new National Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Laurence Olivier, was based at the Old Vic Theatre, London, until its own building was opened on the South Bank near Waterloo Bridge in 1976.

After the departure of the National Theatre Company, the Old Vic Theatre continued as a home for classic and new drama, and was significantly restored under the ownership of Toronto department-store entrepreneur ''Honest Ed'' Mirvish during the 1980s. In 1998, the building was bought by a new charitable trust, The Old Vic Theatre Trust 2000. In 2000, the production company Criterion Productions was renamed Old Vic Productions plc, though relatively few of its productions are at the theatre. In 2004, the actor Kevin Spacey was appointed as new artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre Company receiving considerable media attention. Spacey hopes to inject new life into the British theatre industry, and bring British and American theatrical talent to the stage. He will appear in two shows per season, and will perform some directorial duties on other shows. The theatre stands in a prominent position on the corner of Waterloo Road and The Cut just south-east of Waterloo Station. The Old Vic Theatre London is one of the oldest theatres in the city and famous throughout the English speaking world.

Long known as "the actors' theatre", many of the greatest performers of the last century have played on its stage, including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Sybil Thorndyke, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Alec Guiness, Vivien Leigh, Ralph Richardson, Michael Redgrave, Peter O'Toole, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Kevin Spacey. Walk South Bank - stops & route 1. IWM London The beautiful exterior of the IWM (Imperial War Museum), with its imposing 15-inch British Naval Guns, makes for a stark and beautifully composed photograph. IWM London was originally housed in the Crystal Palace at Sydenham Hill and the museum opened to the public in 1920. In 1924 the museum relocated to the Imperial Institute in South Kensington, and finally in 1936 the museum acquired a permanent home at what used to be the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark. The Bethlem Royal Hospital was Europe's first and oldest institution to specialise in mental illnesses and was informally and most notoriously known as “Bedlam”.

The museum recently underwent a £40 million refurbishment, including a suite of permanent new galleries devoted to the First World War and a vast, light-filled central atrium. 2. House of Vans London House of Vans is located in what used to be known as the Old Vic Tunnels. The space covers just under 30,000 square feet of unused railway tunnels. The Old Vic, which was under Kevin Spacey’s directorship at the time, originally acquired the space back in 2010, using it as an underground arts venue and performance space. Numerous high profile events, including the UK premiere of Banksy's documentary Exit through the Gift Shop was hosted here. Last August the space reopened under new management and the name House of Vans London, who celebrated their 1st birthday last weekend. The House of Vans in London describes itself as “the physical manifestation of the culture and creativity that has defined the Vans brand since 1966”.

This cool underground space is now used as a sanctuary for embracing creative expression through art, music, skateboarding, BMX, street culture and fashion and offers a solid platform for local communities to experience and engage with Vans’ ‘Off The Wall’ spirit. As well as being the home of London's only indoor skate park, House of Vanst also includes a 850-capacity music venue, where the Foo Fighters once did a secret gig! HOV also has a 160-seat cinema and a gallery, as well as two bars and an industrial-looking cafe serving American-style food. Best of all, everything at House of Vans, from the skate-park to the cinema, is completely FREE! They often host amazing workshops such as screen-printing, drawing and dub-step remixes. The London site is the second House of Vans and the first to open in Europe. The other, in Brooklyn, New York, also hosts a music hall and skate park. 3. Leake Street Leake Street, also known as the "Banksy Tunnel" or "Graffiti Tunnel", is a graffiti artist or graffiti admirer’s paradise, located right next to House of Vans.

The tunnel is about 300 metres long, running just off York Road, all the way under the platforms and tracks of Waterloo station. The walls are decorated with graffiti - initially created during the "Cans Festival" organised by Banksy on 3-5 May 2008. During the Cans Festival, Leake Street was turned into a giant exhibition space for some of the world’s top graffiti artists, including C215, Blek le Rat, Faile, Pure Evil, Logan Hicks, Eelus and Banksy, as well as members of the public who were also invited to join in. The half-mile stretch of the tunnel in Leake Street, Waterloo, transformed what used to be a dark, forgotten corner of London onto a cutting edge exhibition space, which is now often used by fashion photographers and frequented by graffiti aficionados. 4. Jubilee Gardens The lush green pastures of Jubilee Gardens, was formerly the site of the “Dome of Discovery” and the adjacent “Skylon” during the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The Festival was a national exhibition held throughout the UK, organised by the government to give the British a feeling of recovery in the aftermath of war, and the Dome of Discovery was a temporary exhibition. The dome was controversially demolished and its materials sold as scrap, which rather peculiarly was then turned into a series of commemorative paper-knives! After being left for many years as a derelict site, Jubilee Gardens was subsequently created in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The park is the site of a memorial to the casualties of the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War, especially the British Battalion which took very heavy casualties. The park is the perfect place to get some of the best shots of the Coca-Cola London Eye, which stands directly before it. 5. The Coca-Cola London Eye The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is over 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). When erected in 1999, it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel, described by its operators as "the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel".

It remains Europe's tallest Ferris wheel and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK, with over 3.75 million visitors annually! From the top of the London Eye you can see up to 25 miles away, and on a clear day, you can make out Windsor Castle. The London Eye’s 32 capsules represent the 32 London boroughs, with each one weighing around 10 tonnes and can carry 25 passengers. The London Eye was supposed to be a temporary structure in the run up to the Millenium, however it was so loved by Londoners and visitors alike that it stayed a permanent fixture and is now an iconic part of London’s skyline. The London Eye is the focal point for London’s New Year’s firework display, and lights up in various colours to celebrate events such as the colours of the Union Jack to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, rainbow coloured to celebrate London Pride and all green to welcome the addition of Shrek’s Adventure to the South Bank. In 2009, the London Eye underwent a £12.5 million capsule upgrade, whereby each capsule was taken down and floated down the river to Tilbury Docks in Essex. 6.

The Southbank Centre The Southbank Centre is a complex of artistic venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery and is Europe’s largest centre for the arts, attracting more than three million visitors annually. Nearly a thousand paid performances of music, dance and literature are staged at Southbank Centre each year, as well as over 300 free events and an education programme. The history of Southbank Centre starts with the Festival of Britain, held in 1951. As aforementioned, the Festival of Britain was created as "a tonic for the nation" by Labour Party government, with the intention of boosting the nation’s morale after the Second World War. The festival ran from May to September 1951, and by June the following year most of the structures had been dismantled following the victory the Conservative Party in the general election of 1951. The Royal Festival Hall is the only building from the Festival of Britain that survived; the rest was (controversially) demolished. From 1962 to 1965, the Royal Festival Hall was extended towards the river and Waterloo Station and refurbished and a second concert hall and an art gallery were added.

It was another 12 years before the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room opened to the public. Together, they were to be known as South Bank Concert Halls. In 1968, the Hayward opened, under direct management of the Arts Council. 7. The National Theatre The need for a national theatre was first proposed in 1848, but it took over 100 years for the project to finally be brought to life. The foundation stone was laid in 1949, but in 1959 the government stated that the nation couldn’t afford a national theatre, and so it wasn’t until fairly recently – 1963, that the National Theatre Company was eventually formed. Even then, the company was based at the Old Vic and didn’t actually open in South Bank until 1976, with its first production of Hamlet at the Lyttelton Theatre. The Olivier and Cottesloe theatres (now called the Dorfman) were opened shortly after, and the Oliver is modelled on the ancient Greek amphitheatre at Epidaurus, the oldest theatre in the world. The Olivier has a massive stage revolve that extends 8 meters below stage.

The National Theatre building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun, and was notoriously described by Prince Charles in 1988 as "a clever way of building a nuclear power station in the middle of London without anyone objecting". The building certainly doesn’t leave anyone cold, and is in the unusual situation of having appeared simultaneously in the top ten "most popular" and "most hated" London buildings in opinion surveys! Despite the controversy, the National Theatre was awarded Grade II listed status in 1994 and is often cited as an archetype of Brutalist architecture in England, as well as having been compared to the work of the famous French architect, Le Corbusier. Recently, a new lighting scheme was introduced, with colourful floodlights illuminating the stark edges of the building, which has proved extremely popular with the public. Also popular is the temporary theatre in front of the National Theatre, which is a favourite spot for taking pictures. The red structure will be in situ until March 2017. The National Theatre houses three auditoriums and a number of rehearsal rooms.

Unusually for a theatre, the National also has set-building and scenic-painting workshops, costume- and prop-making and digital design in-house; with around 1,000 people working on its five-acre site. You can see all of the action from the newly introduced “Sherling High-Level Walkway” – an amazing walkway from which you can see all of the backstage action going on. Since its inception, the National Theatre has presented over 800 productions, with some transferring to the West End and occasionally to Broadway. If you can’t make it to a performance, you can watch live broadcasts of the shows at many cinemas across the UK and the world with the National Theatre Live programme. 8. Gabriel's Wharf It’s crazy to imagine that Gabriel's Wharf used to be the site of old garages – now, the Wharf is a popular place for families and visitors to relax and enjoy great views across the Thames and onto London. The opening of Gabriel’s Wharf in 1988 brought commercial and public life to an area that had long been derelict and signalled the ‘rebirth’ of the South Bank.

The area has been completely redeveloped and is now is a buzzing spot with a range of boutiques run by small businesses who design and manufacture their own products, artist’s galleries and eateries. The area includes Bernie Spain Gardens, named after Bernadette Spain, a local campaigner on health and housing provisions for the area’s residents in the 1980s. If you enjoy a spot of gardening, why not join in the “Gorgeous Gardens” gardening sessions, which are held regularly throughout the growing season and are open to anyone with an interest in growing. Especially popular with kids, this is a great way of spending some time outside and feeling connected with nature – right in the heart of London! 9. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie The fabulous, art deco OXO Tower is one of the most prominent buildings in London’s South Bank. The tower has mixed use, with a set of design, arts and crafts shops on the ground and first floors as well as two galleries, Bargehouse and gallery@oxo. The OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie is on the eighth floor, offering fantastic views over London.

The building was originally constructed as a power station to supply electricity to the Royal Mail post office, and was subsequently used by the manufacturers of OXO beef stock cubes as a cold store for many years. The company famously wanted to include illuminated advertising of their product along the side of the tower, however permission was denied as advertising along South Bank was banned at the time. However, OXO managed to cleverly go around this by building four sets of three vertically-aligned windows, all of which "coincidentally" happened to be in the shapes of a circle, a cross and a circle! After OXO left, the building was left derelict until the late 1970s and early 1980s. Proposals to demolish the building were met by strong local opposition and finally, the entire 13-acre (5.3 ha) of land was sold to the non-profit Coin Street Community Builders for just £750,000! 10. Mondrian London at Sea Containers The sleek and sophisticated Mondrian Hotel at Sea Containers was designed by architect Warren Platner in the 1970's.

Although it was originally designed as a hotel, it was instead used as an office for many years. One of the occupants was a shipping company called "Sea Container", from which the Hotel now famously draws its name. The hotel’s interior was completely re-designed by Tom Dixon, who based his inspiration on the days of glamorous transatlantic cruise travel. You can see this from the port-holes near the front desk, the huge copper hull and the maritime references throughout (look in the den!) All the rooms have a signature Tom Dixon wingback chair. The hotel has only been open for just under a year, however already has got rave reviews from guests and has already been awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. In addition to this, the hotel’s flagship bar, the Dandelyan, recently won Best New International Cocktail Bar, and its bar manager, Ryan Chetiyawardana (also known as Mr Lyan) was recently awarded International Bartender of the Year at this year's Spirited Awards. The exclusive culinary director at The Sea Containers restaurant, Seamus Mullen, is also the owner of 4 highly reputed restaurants in New York.

After contracting rheumatoid arthritis, Mullen cured himself through a regime of diet and wellness – writing a highly successful book detailing his journey (called Hero Food). Cottesloe Theatre | Article about Cottesloe Theatre by The Free Dictionary Cottesloe Theatre | Article about Cottesloe Theatre by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Wikipedia . Royal National Theatre a government-funded repertory company based in London. Although the idea for such a company originated in the 19th cent., the National Theatre was not finally established until 1963, with Laurence Olivier Olivier, Laurence Kerr, Baron Olivier of Brighton , 1907–89, English actor, director, and producer. He made his stage debut at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1922 and soon achieved renown through his work with the Old Vic company. ..... Click the link for more information. appointed as director. Temporarily housed at first in the Old Vic Old Vic, London repertory company and theater. The Old Vic theater opened in 1818 as the Coburg, and was renamed the Royal Victoria in 1833, soon familiarized to the Old Vic. ..... Click the link for more information.

theater, the company opened with Hamlet in 1963. Peter Hall took over the directorship in 1973, and the National Theatre complex opened in 1976–77 in its new building on the south bank of the Thames. In 1988 the name of the company was changed to the Royal National Theatre, and Richard Eyre took over as director. Eyre was succeeded by Trevor Nunn in 1997 and Nicholas Hytner in 2003. The National Theatre engages many of England's most talented actors, directors, and designers to produce its repertory of classic and modern plays. National Theatre Company | Article about National Theatre Company by The Free Dictionary National Theatre Company | Article about National Theatre Company by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Wikipedia . Royal National Theatre a government-funded repertory company based in London. Although the idea for such a company originated in the 19th cent., the National Theatre was not finally established until 1963, with Laurence Olivier Olivier, Laurence Kerr, Baron Olivier of Brighton , 1907–89, English actor, director, and producer.

He made his stage debut at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1922 and soon achieved renown through his work with the Old Vic company. ..... Click the link for more information. appointed as director. Temporarily housed at first in the Old Vic Old Vic, London repertory company and theater. The Old Vic theater opened in 1818 as the Coburg, and was renamed the Royal Victoria in 1833, soon familiarized to the Old Vic. ..... Click the link for more information. theater, the company opened with Hamlet in 1963. Peter Hall took over the directorship in 1973, and the National Theatre complex opened in 1976–77 in its new building on the south bank of the Thames. In 1988 the name of the company was changed to the Royal National Theatre, and Richard Eyre took over as director. Eyre was succeeded by Trevor Nunn in 1997 and Nicholas Hytner in 2003. The National Theatre engages many of England's most talented actors, directors, and designers to produce its repertory of classic and modern plays.

London West End Theatres | Theatre and Musicals in London | LondonTown.com Theatre and Musicals in London From all singing, all dancing musicals and glitzy productions to satirical comedies and renowned dramas, London's West End Theatres boast a year-round world-class programme of productions. Here, LondonTown.com lists the theatres to ensure you never miss out on the hottest ticket in town. Historic West End theatre which has been the home of both farce and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Aldwych Theatre Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych London, WC2B4LD Theatres Aldwych, Covent Garden, London, WC2B4LD Enlarge Close With the Waldorf Hotel sandwiched in between them, the Aldwych and Novello theatres were originally built to work as a pair. The Aldwych is probably most noted for being the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (1960 to 1982), and for Ben Travers' famed Aldwych Farces (1925 to 1933). Previous notable productions include Noel Coward's Private Lives and Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf .

10th February 2015 to 18th February 2017 | £15-£69.50, Feb 10-26 previews £15-£57.50 Beautiful - The Carole King Musical Aldwych Theatre 2015-02-102017-02-18 Where: Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych London, WC2B4LD Category: Theatres A mid-sized theatre which gained fame as the home of 'The Mousetrap'. Ambassadors Theatre Ambassadors Theatre, West Street London, WC2H 9ND Theatres West Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9ND Enlarge Close From the outside, it appears impossible that an entire West End theatre could be fitted into this two-storey Soho corner. However, not only is there a medium-sized auditorium, cheerfully over-decorated, but the whole Louis XVI interior feels spacious and airy. Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap opened at the theatre in 1952 and played here for more than two decades before transferring to St Martin's Theatre .

The first West End theatre of the Edwardian age. Apollo Theatre Apollo Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 7EZ Theatres 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London, W1D 7EZ Enlarge Close The first West End theatre of the Edwardian Age, the Apollo has a pleasingly over-the-top design that takes in facades, statuary, and a gypsy coat-of-arms that was intended to bring good luck. Playing host mainly to relatively small-scale shows rather than more obvious crowd-pullers, this compact theatre has never really established an important role in the West End.

20th October 2016 to 29th January 2017 | £20-£49.50, Premium Seats £67.50 Peter Pan Goes Wrong Apollo Theatre 2016-10-202017-01-29 Where: Apollo Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 7EZ Category: Theatres Travesties On Soon 3rd February to 29th April 2017 | £22-£62.50, Premium Seats £85, Feb 3-11 previews £20-£57.50, Premium Seats previews £85 Travesties Apollo Theatre 2017-02-032017-04-29 Where: Apollo Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 7EZ Category: Theatres 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th May 2017 - 7.30pm | £50-£130, Premium Seats £200 Brodsky/Baryshnik

ov Apollo Theatre 2017-05-032017-05-06 Where: Apollo Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 7EZ Category: Theatres Art Deco theatre - one of the largest in London.

Apollo Victoria Theatre Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road London, SW1V 1LG Theatres 17 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1LG In the days before cheap air travel, the first thing travellers from the continent would see as their trains pulled into London was the vast Apollo Victoria , a single building that took up an entire block. This huge theatre has played host to some classic shows over the years, with the outstanding popular favourite Starlight Express delighting millions in a run that stretched over a decade. Sunday 1st - Saturday 29th April 2017 | £15-£95 Wicked Apollo Victoria Theatre 2010-08-012017-04-29 Where: Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road London, SW1V 1LG Category: Theatres An Art Deco theatre which has been home to blockbuster musicals and some spectacular bombs.

Cambridge Theatre Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, Seven Dials London, WC2H 9HU Theatres Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Soho, London, WC2H 9HU Enlarge Close The Cambridge Theatre is a 1930s design classic in the Art Deco style, with smooth, sparsely decorated curves and two stunning gold murals. Its simplicity is belied by a long history of bizarre and spectacular productions, from the West End's first ice dancing (John Curry's Theatre of Ice), through the high-camp of Return to the Forbidden Planet to the all-singing, all-dancing Ku Klux Klan members in Jerry Springer, the Opera. In its time, this dignified auditorium has played host to a cinema, an opera company, the Comedie Francaise, the National Theatre, a magic show and some of the most important figures in theatre.

Tuesday 18th - Sunday 15th October 2017 | £20-£62.50 Matilda The Musical Cambridge Theatre 2011-10-182017-10-15 Where: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, Seven Dials London, WC2H 9HU Category: Theatres A subterranean theatre in the West End that has a romantic interior. Criterion Theatre Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus London, W1V 9LB Theatres 218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, London, W1V 9LB Enlarge Close The tiny entrance of the Criterion Theatre is almost invisible among the massive advertisements, traffic and crowds of Piccadilly Circus. To ignore it, however, is to miss one of London's most enchanting theatres. Use of mirrors and stunning murals of clouds and cherubs turns this underground labyrinth into an airy paradise.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Ongoing 1st January to 29th October 2017 - Various Times | £19-£48.50, Premium Seats £68.50 Criterion Theatre, 218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus London, W1V 9LB Category: Theatres This large venue has been host to big, over the top musicals for decades. Dominion Theatre Dominion Theatre, 268 Tottenham Court Road London, W1T 7AQ Theatres 268 Tottenham Court Road, Bloomsbury, London, W1T 7AQ Enlarge Close This huge theatre plays host to big, rocking musicals. The Dominion has a big stage and hundreds of seats - on a packed night here noise levels are like those at a rock concert. Built in 1928, the venue was originally used as a cinema before turning to theatre and musicals. Later, Universal hired The Dominion for its movie 'Phantom of the Opera', and Charlie Chaplin's City Lights was shown here with synchronised music and sound effects.

The massive rooftop statue of Freddie Mercury that greets you as you leave the Tottenham Court Road tube stop is a hint of the show that's been playing here for the last few years. 4th March to 30th September 2017 | £19.50-£125 An American In Paris Dominion Theatre 2017-03-042017-09-30 Where: Dominion Theatre, 268 Tottenham Court Road London, W1T 7AQ Category: Theatres One of the smallest theatres in the West End. Duchess Theatre Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street London, WC2B 5LA Theatres Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5LA Enlarge Close The Duchess Theatre is one of the smallest in The West End , which is not entirely a bad thing. The seating is almost on top of the stage, creating an intense engagement between audience and actors of the kind usually reserved for the fringe. This has made the Duchess a favourite with actors and directors, in spite of cramped backstage conditions.

5th September 2014 to 10th September 2017 | Sep 5-Oct 19 £20-£39.50, Oct 20-Feb 1 £20-£49.50 The Play That Goes Wrong Duchess Theatre 2014-09-052017-09-10 Where: Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street London, WC2B 5LA Category: Theatres Michael McIntyre: Work In Progress On Soon 9th January to 10th July 2017 - 8pm | £21.25, phone for availability Michael McIntyre: Work In Progress Duchess Theatre 2017-01-092017-07-10 Where: Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street London, WC2B 5LA Category: Theatres Monday 20th March 2017 - 7.30pm-9.50pm | £17.50-£21.50 Josie Long: Something Better Duchess Theatre 2017-03-202017-03

-20 Where: Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street London, WC2B 5LA Category: Theatres The eternal optimist and political stand-up with a string of awards to her name reflects on hopefulness, looking for the right people and finding things to look forward to.

Sara Pascoe: Animal Monday 24th April 2017 - 7.30pm-9.20pm | £21.25 Sara Pascoe: Animal Duchess Theatre 2017-04-242017-04-24 Where: Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street London, WC2B 5LA Category: Theatres A medium sized West End theatre that has been home to plenty of solid hits. Duke of York's Theatre Duke of York's Theatre, St Martins Lane London, WC2N 4BG Theatres St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4BG Enlarge Close This theatre has more than its share of name changes. Originally called The Trafalgar in 1894, it became the Duke of York's to honour the future King George V. During the late '90s, the name was temporarily changed to The Royal Court Theatre. Over the years, the theatre also hosted ballets and operas and is also where the world was first introduced to the play (and character) of Peter Pan, in 1904.

26th January to 29th April 2017 | £15-£85, Jan 26-31, Feb 1 & 2 previews £15-£75 The Glass Menagerie Duke of York's Theatre 2017-01-262017-04-29 Where: Duke of York's Theatre, St Martins Lane London, WC2N 4BG Category: Theatres The first theatre to be built after World War I. Fortune Theatre Fortune Theatre, Russell Street London, WC2B 5HH Theatres Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5HH This intimate theatre was built on the site of the old Albion Tavern, and opened in November 1924. The beginnings of the Fortune Theatre were anything but fortunate. The opening play, 'Sinners' by Laurence Cowen, closed after two weeks. Over the next few decades, the Fortune Theatre had to resort to showing amateur plays and during World War II the venue was used by ENSA , the concert party corps of the Forces.

But in the 1960s the theatre's fortunes began to change and blockbuster hit, Stephen Mallatratt' s The Woman in Black (1989) has been performed (over 5000 times) at the theatre ever since. 1st July 2009 to 23rd September 2017 - Various Times | £18.00 - £48 The Woman In Black Fortune Theatre 2009-07-012017-09-23 Where: Fortune Theatre, Russell Street London, WC2B 5HH Category: Theatres This theatre is largely associated with comedies and dramas. Garrick Theatre Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road London, WC2H 0HH Theatres 2 Charing Cross Road, Soho, London, WC2H 0HH Enlarge Close Named after the great 18th century actor-manager David Garrick , The Garrick is a fantastic piece of late-Victorian kitsch. In recent years this venue has played host to a number of hugely popular shows including the Lieutenant of Inishmore and Tommy Cooper tribute Jus' Like That.

The Garrick has also proved to be something of a magnet for Hollywood starlets, including Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Paquin .

19th November 2016 to 25th February 2017 | £20-£75 This House Garrick Theatre 2016-11-192017-02-25 Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road London, WC2H 0HH Category: Theatres 1st March to 3rd June 2017 | £15-£65, Premium Seats £85, Mar 1-15 previews £15-£55, Premium Seats previews £75 The Miser Garrick Theatre 2017-03-012017-06-03 Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road London, WC2H 0HH Category: Theatres 6th June to 22nd July 2017 | £20.75-£40.75, Premium Seats £56.25 Tape Face Garrick Theatre 2017-06-062017-07-22 Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross

 Road London, WC2H 0HH Category: Theatres The Boy With Tape On His Face returns with his new show, Tape Face, and serves up a Neapolitan ice cream of genres: mime with noise, stand-up with no talking, drama with no acting.

Drawing ... more 26th July to 3rd September 2017 | £19.50-£49.50, Premium Seats £85 Gangsta Granny Garrick Theatre 2017-07-262017-09-03 Where: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road London, WC2H 0HH Category: Theatres Neil Foster adapts the popular children's book Gangsta Granny by David Walliams for the stage in 2017. Transferring to the Garrick Theatre for a limited summer season after a successful UK tour, the stage version ... more Enlarge Close The Harold Pinter Theatre's 1881 interior is one of the oldest in London and one of the most charming, in spite of the damage wrought by an ill-considered restoration in 1954. The Renaissance-style auditorium, with its wooden panels, and gold ceiling and wallpaper, still retains many original features, while the unpretentious exterior is the most attractive and unspoilt among London's smaller theatres.

Though in its early years it lived up to its name, the theatre has become known more recently for high-quality drama, notably the works of Harold Pinter ï¿½(hence the name)ï¿½- five of which have been performed here since 1991. Saturday 11th February 2017 at 7pm and 11pm | £25-£95 Whoopi Goldberg: Stand Up Live London Palladium 2017-02-112017-02-11 Where: London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street London, W1F 7TF Category: Theatres The Oscar-winning actress performs her one woman stand-up show for the first time in the UK, combining contemporary material with some of her classic observations.

LeAnn Rimes Saturday 18th February 2017 - 7pm | £27.50 & £47.50 LeAnn Rimes London Palladium 2017-02-182017-02-18 Where: London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street London, W1F 7TF Category: Theatres The multi-award-winning country singer-songwriter performs in support of her 16th studio album, Remnants. The Divine Comedy 21st, 22nd and 23rd February 2017 - 7pm | £35-£45 The Divine Comedy London Palladium 2017-02-212017-02-23 Where: London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street London, W1F 7TF Category: Theatres The alternative pop outfit from Northern Ireland led by singer-songwriter Neil Hannon, performs recognisable hits and tracks from their latest album Foreverland.

An Evening With Eric Cantona Friday 24th February 2017 - 8pm | £34.50-£73, VIP tickets £208 An Evening With Eric Cantona London Palladium 2017-02-242017-02-24 Where: London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street London, W1F 7TF Category: Theatres Enlarge Close Although this site has been an entertainment venue since at least the mid-19th century, the New London Theatre only opened its doors in 1973, making it one of the West End's newest theatres. The building is sleek and impressive, with a stunning mirrored facade. The amphitheatre was designed along the hyper-modern lines of post-war continental theatres. Stage, seats, lights, even the walls, can all be made to change their position. This allows directors to choose between conventional and in the round productions, as well as any number of different sizes and shapes for their stages. In practice, this wealth of choice rather bamboozled directors and it was nearly a decade before this revolutionary space had a major hit.

Saturday 11th February 2017 - 9.45pm | £12-£17.50 Mark Watson: I'm Not Here Old Vic Theatre 2017-02-112017-02-11 Where: Old Vic Theatre, 103 The Cut London, SE1 8NB Category: Theatres The popular stand-up and star of Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week delivers his verdict on life in the digital age. Ronnie Scott's Jazz Trio Saturday 18th February 2017 - 9.30pm | Free Ronnie Scott's Jazz Trio Old Vic Theatre 2017-02-182017-02-18 Where: Old Vic Theatre, 103 The Cut London, SE1 8NB Category: Theatres Musicians from one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, which embraces modern jazz and jazz fusion, perform in Mark Hix's bar while delicious cocktails are served. Enlarge Close A simple exterior conceals this grandiose Art Deco theatre, whose huge auditorium is decorated in shocking pink.

A patchy production history has included few major hits. A celebrated John Gielgud production of Macbeth was ended in 1942 by the traditional misfortunes that haunt this play: four of the cast died, a designer committed suicide then the theatre was hit by a stray German bomb. In the 1960s and 1970s it improved its reputation with a series of successful transfers from Broadway. In its incarnation as a cinema, it also premiered the first talking picture to be shown in Britain.

1st January 2016 to 1st April 2017 | £27.50-£85, Premium Seats £97.50-£200 The Book Of Mormon Prince of Wales Theatre 2016-01-012017-04-01 Where: Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street London, W1D 6AS Category: Theatres Sunday 19th February 2017 - 7pm | £15-£59, Premium Seats £99 17th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards Prince of Wales Theatre 2017-02-192017-02-19 Where: Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street London, W1D 6AS Category: Theatres The only major UK theatre awards nominated and voted for entirely by the public. Live presentations of the awards are complemented by performances from nominated West End stars and shows. Last year's winners included Benedict ...

4th January to 18th February 2017 | £15-£35 BU21 Trafalgar Studios 2017-01-042017-02-18 Where: Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall London, SW1A 2DY Category: Theatres A West End transfer for Theatre503's sell-out staging of Stuart Slade's brutal and uncomfortably funny London-set drama, which ebbs and flows between six characters' verbatim accounts of a terrorist attack in the capital. Centred on ...

more Buried Child 14th November 2016 to 4th March 2017 - Various Times | £35-£65, Premium Seats £80 & £85 Buried Child Trafalgar Studios 2016-11-142017-03-04 Where: Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall London, SW1A 2DY Category: Theatres 22nd February to 1st April 2017 | £19.50-£45 Speech & Debate Trafalgar Studios 2017-02-222017-04-01 Where: Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall London, SW1A 2DY Category: Theatres Stephen Karam's comedy Speech &amp; Debate follows three misfit teenagers who are brought together by a sex scandal in their school. With nobody taking them seriously, they find refuge in the debate society and speak ...

more 27th October 2016 to 4th February 2017 | £15-£75 Dead Funny Vaudeville Theatre 2016-10-272017-02-04 Where: Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand London, WC2R 0NH Category: Theatres 7th to 18th February 2017 | £20-£35, Premium Seats £50 The Boys In The Band Vaudeville Theatre 2017-02-072017-02-18 Where: Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand London, WC2R 0NH Category: Theatres A landmark play in gay theatre, Mart Crowley's groundbreaking The Boys In The Band transfers to the West End in 2017, being staged at the Vaudeville Theatre for a limited two-week run. Set in a ...

more 1st March to 17th June 2017 | Mon-Thu £20-£59.50, Fri & Sat £22-£62.50 Stepping Out Vaudeville Theatre 2017-03-012017-06-17 Where: Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand London, WC2R 0NH Category: Theatres National Theatre Visiting National Theatre Britain's National Theatre is one of the key elements of the South Bank arts complex alongside BFI Southbank and the Royal Festival Hall . The National Theatre was established in 1963 and was initially based at The Old Vic , moving to its purpose-built home designed by Denys Lasdun in 1976. The building houses three performance spaces - the Olivier Theatre, the Cottesloe and the Lyttelton. The foyers are regularly used for exhibitions and musical recitals. National Theatre

Question: At which theatre was the National Theatre based before the new building opened on London's South Bank in 1976?
Answer: OLD VIC